The generosity of a private, anonymous donor has enabled 77 Tennessean youth participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Chattanooga, East TN, and Middle TN mentorship programs to receive scholarships totaling $225,000, with some students receiving upwards of $5,000 to contribute toward their continuing education.From mechanical engineering, criminal justice, game design, and wildlife & fish management, scholarship submissions represented a wide range of post-secondary career interests and educational institutions. Students have the freedom to spend the scholarship money in areasdeemed most needed.
The generosity of a private, anonymous donor has enabled 77 Tennessean youth participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Chattanooga, East TN, and Middle TN mentorship programs to receive scholarships totaling $225,000, with some students receiving upwards of $5,000 to contribute toward their continuing education.
From mechanical engineering, criminal justice, game design, and wildlife & fish management, scholarship submissions represented a wide range of post-secondary career interests and educational institutions. Students have the freedom to spend the scholarship money in areasdeemed most needed.
“It means the absolute world to me to win this scholarship,” said Hunter, alumni E-Mentoring Little, Middle TN. “It has helped me so much through this year. I’ve decided to use the money to help pay for my housing, since there is no on-campus housing. This also helped me buy food since meal plans are not offered through the school. Thank you again to everyone who made this scholarship possible. The amount of stress this takes off college students is staggering and very much appreciated.”
East TN alumni Little Brooke, who is studying Criminal Justice at Pellissippi State Community College, said, “The TN scholarship allowed me to leave school with no debt and get me supplies while I was in school.” She added that her Big Sister has always been a trusted adult in her life that she knows she can count on “no matter what.”
73% of BBBS alumni mentees report that their mentor introduced them to interesting career paths, and 86% report that their mentor exposed them to experiences they would not otherwise have had. The role of caring adult mentors provides critical exposure for first-generation college students and youth from communities with limited access to professional networks.
E’Janay Reynolds from Chattanooga said, “My Big played a major role in my decision to attend college by helping me build confidence in my abilities. She shared words of encouragement and reminded me that my hard work would pay off, which made college feel like an exciting next step.”
Unstable housing situations, mental health, family responsibilities, and transportation gaps have resulted in school absenteeism doubling since the pandemic. Mentorship brings additional caring adults into students' lives who focus on encouragement, connection, and support to help youth navigate these challenges. Littles who graduate from Big Brothers Big Sisters programs:
— Are 20% more likely to enroll in post-secondary education
— Will earn 15% more over their lifetimes
— These gains mean closing two-thirds of the poverty gap
• Male - 25
• Female - 52
• Four-Year Collage - 65
• Two-Year College - 12
• Certificate - 1
• Associates - 13
• Bachelors - 55
• Masters - 5
• Doctorate -3
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth since 1904. Through proven data-informed and evidence-based programming, BBBS mentorship increases confidence, connection, and academic success for youth aged 6-24 years. Learn more about becoming a Big by visiting bbbschatt.org/volunteer.
The generosity of a private, anonymous donor has enabled 77 Tennessean youth participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Chattanooga, East TN, and Middle TN mentorship programs to receive scholarships totaling $225,000, with some students receiving upwards of $5,000 to contribute toward their continuing education.From mechanical engineering, criminal justice, game design, and wildlife & fish management, scholarship submissions represented a wide range of post-secondary career interests and educational institutions. Students have the freedom to spend the scholarship money in areasdeemed most needed.
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The Operations Manager is a professional serving as the operational and administrative backbone of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role ensures the agency’s daily impact is sustained through meticulous oversight of office resources, vendor relationships, and financial record-keeping. Operating with a fundraising and recruitment mindset, the Operations Manager recognizes that organizational excellence and a positive culture are the primary drivers of donor trust and volunteer growth. By acting as a departmental bridge, this role ensures the agency remains fully compliant with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) standards and local employment laws while proactively fostering a supportive, inclusive, and efficient environment for all staff.
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The energy at our City of Potential Breakfast was unforgettable! Thanks to the incredible power of our community, we blew past our $65,000 goal. This success will fuel our mission, but the fight continues for 135 local kids still waiting for a mentor. See the highlights and learn how you can keep the momentum going.
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